4 Interesting Information About Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a stage in life where you can expect an unexpected to happen. Many beliefs have been associated with pregnancy since long, but all may not be true. Find four such attractive and knowledgeable facts about pregnancy discussed here.

Interesting Facts About Pregnancy

Pregnancy Can Stretch Over a Year

Strange it may seem, but the usual pregnancy span of 9 months is not unbreakable! The world’s longest pregnancy lasted 375 days; this was more than 365 days, which surpassed a year. Usually, the gestation period of a woman (from conception to birth) is approximately 9 months (266 days/38 Weeks). Mostly, full-term babies are born between 37-42 weeks. Pregnancy can have multiple gestation periods. In the case of twins or triplets, childbirth may vary from the usual pregnancy with single fetus. The normal range of pregnancy is 38-42 weeks, and the average is 40 weeks. 40 weeks are 10 four week months, which means 280 days, which is greater than the usual 9 months gestation. The range is considered owing to individual physiology. Mostly, pregnancies last for about 9 months and labor is likely to be induced if it stretches beyond that tenure. In the U.S., the most common length of a pregnancy is 39 weeks. It has become shorter from 40 weeks to 39 weeks, which it was over a decade ago.

Pregnancy is Not An Excuse to Eat for Two

There is a notion that pregnancy means eating for two people because the mother is carrying another life. Quite contrary, a healthy baby does not want the mother to overeat but eat adequate. Usually, pregnant women only need an extra 300 calories every day. For the average pregnant woman, about 150-200 calories per day in the first trimester and an extra 250-300 thereafter can suffice. However, this refers to the nutritional intake required by a pregnant woman. Portion size and nutritional consumption may not be proportionate. A pregnant woman should focus on her calcium, zinc, iron and folate intake through rich foods rather than portion size. In fact, eating for two can end you in gaining excessive weight during pregnancy which can be difficult to shed later. Increased weight can also pose health problems during pregnancy including gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. A cesarean birth may also be needed for a very large baby. However, too less weight gain can also become a matter of concern.

Pregnancy Can Upset Bladder Control

The stories about pregnant women accidentally emptying their bladders have a scientific background. Involuntary passage of urine arising out of a loud sneeze or laugh can be a cause of embarrassment for many pregnant women. The stress incontinence can be experienced by many pregnant women which can be, occasionally, troubling. During the last few months of pregnancy, women would want to wear panty liners to take care of leaks. This time, the stress incontinence is more likely to occur. The reason behind the ‘uncontrolled’ behavior can be the baby’s position. As pregnancy advances, the uterus enlarges and the baby can be positioned at the top of your bladder. During childbirth, you can possibly expel out bowel contents as the muscles engaged in pushing the baby out are the same which are usually used in bowel movement.

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The baby can also directly push on the rectum as it makes its way out, squeezing out anything close to the exit. In olden times, nurses used to give enemas prior to labor to avoid the mess. Regular trips to the bathroom can be helpful. It is advised that pregnant women consciously empty their bladders on regular basis to minimize the possibility of leakage.

Pregnancy Accompanied by Sex May Not Harm the Baby

Sex during pregnancy may be harmless to the baby under the womb. The developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in the uterus. Besides, the strong muscles of the uterus also act as a protection for the underlying baby. Sexual activity usually does not affect the baby. The baby is adequately protected in the sac which is deeply penetrated. If the pregnancy proceeds normally, sex may remain unhindered except for your mood swings and other bodily changes which can keep the drive low. Fears about sexual activity harming the baby or apprehension about childbirth might reduce your sex drive. Oral sex can be safe during pregnancy, although air should not be blown into the vagina.

There can be a rare possibility of a burst of air blocking a blood vessel. This may cause a life-threatening condition for the mother and her baby. Anal sex may be better avoided during pregnancy. It can be troubling for pregnancy-related hemorrhoids. Furthermore, anal sex might facilitate infection-causing bacteria to spread from the rectum to the vagina.